simpson



(No Model.)

J. H. SIMPSON.

GAR GOUPLING.

mozmu s 8444 awioz ggml W Patented Feb. 5 1889.

N PETERS. Ph'oXo-Lilhogmphur, Washington, D (L UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

JAMES H. SIMPSON, OF PITJSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CARNEGIE,PHIPPS d: CO., (LIMITED) OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,473, dated February5, 1889. Application filed April 26, 1888- gerial No. 271,975. (Nomodel.)

To (6 whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES H. SIMPSON, of Pittsburg, in the county ofAllegheny and State of leiinsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Couplers; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in whichFigure l is a plan view of my improved automatic coupler. Fig. 2 is aside view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on the line a a ofFig. 1.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts I 5 in each.

The two couplers which are shown ,in Figs. 1 and 2 are identical inconstruction. Each has a shank composed of two side bars, 2, united atthe end by asolid or integral heelpiece, 3,through which is made a holefor the draft-bolt, whereby the coupler is fastened to the car. The sidebars, 2, are parallel, and are somewhat separated, as shown in Fig. 9,and at their ends they are provided with en- 2 5 larged heads 4 5, ofthe shape shown in Fig. l, the heads being forked or provided withprojections G. The heads of the two side bars are united by welding orby rivets 7. Each coupler has a tongue pivoted on a pin, 9, between theseparated heads of the coupler and constructed in angular shape-that.is,with a long locking-arm, 10, and a shorter arm, 11. When the oppositecouplers of two cars come together, they are coupled by engage- 5 .mentof the short parts 11 of the tongues, as shown in Fig. 1, and when theyare thus coupled the longer arms, 10, of the tongue extend back in linewith the shanks of the couplers. They are held automatically in thisposition by means of latches 12, which are arranged to slide verticallyin boxes 13, made on the upper parts of the coupler-heads. The latch 12provided with upwardly-proj ectin g ears 1.), having vertical slots 20therein for 5 sliding upon pins 21, arranged crosswise of the box. 13,whereby the latch is movably suspended, so as to be actuated by a springhearing thereon. These latches are provided with stems 14, which projectupwardly through the boxes, and are provided with springs 15, which tendto force them downward. The under side of the forward end of each latchis beveled, as shown in Fig. 3, and when the long arm of thecoupler-tongue is swung back by the act of coupling the car it engagesand automatically forces up the latch 2 until it has passed this latchand come into the position shown in Fig. 3, when the latch springs down,and by preventing the return of the ton guo keeps the cars coupled. Thecars are uncoupled by raising the stem 11 in either coupler-head, andthus allowing the coup] in gtongues to swing back, as shown by dottedlines in lii g. 1. The couplers are strengthened by re-entorced ribs 18and enlargements 17.

The form of coupler which I have just described is one of great utility.Hitherto couplers of this class have been made of cast-iron, no adequatemeans or method having been known for making them of wrought-iron. Theyhave therefore been. objectionable on many accounts, and have notpossessed the compactness of structure and the strength which appcrtainto the coupler as made by me of wrought-iron or steel.

In making these couplers I form the heads 4 and 5 of wrought-iron orsteel by suitable dies, and having welded them to the ends of straps Isecure the heads together by riveting or weldii'ig, and finally'adjustthe pivoted 8o locking-tongue and the spring-latch.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the draw-head consisting of twoparallel separated wroughtiron side bars having heads at the endsthereof, said heads being rigidly connected togethcr at a suitableinterval, of a lockingtongue pivoted between said heads, a boX or caseon the head, and a movable spring-actuated latch-block arranged withinsaid box or case and adapted to engage said tongue, substantially as andfor the purposes specified.

2. The combination, with the draw-head consistin of two parallelseparated wroughtiron plates connected together at a suitable distanceapart, of a locking-tongue pivoted between -.'aid plates, a box or caseon the head, and a vertical]y-movable spring-actuated latch-blocksliding upon pins in said case and adapted to engage the pivoted tongue,:00 substantially as an d for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set, my hand this 31st day ofMarch, A. D. 1888.

JAMES H. SIMPSON.

\Vitnesses:

W. B. CORWIN, THOMAS W. BAKEWELL.

